Jury Administration FAQ

Q: Can I “apply” to be a juror?

Answer

No. Pursuant to the laws and procedures of the U.S. Courts, each Court must have in place a standard procedure in electing jurors at random. This Court uses official voters’ lists from which names are drawn at random. It is against the law to allow “volunteer jurors” as it would interfere with the random selection procedures.

Q: Can my employer fire me because I am serving as a federal juror?

Answer

No. Jury service is a citizen’s obligation and the employer has to provide the employee with time to serve. Your employment is protected by Federal and State law. It is illegal for an employer to fire an employee because of jury service.

Q: How did I get selected as a juror?

Answer

The selection process for Grand and Petit jurors is governed by General Order 09-2.

Q: If I work, do I still have to serve as a juror?

Answer

Yes. A great majority of jurors work. The employer has to provide the employee with time to serve as a juror.

Q: Is my employer obligated to pay regular salary even on jury duty days?

Answer

No. The employer is not obligated to do so. Although most private companies do, some reach an agreement with the employee to have them return the daily allowance paid to the juror ($40 a day), and they pay the employee in full. Other employers may just deduct the $40 from that person’s daily salary and come out even, and some companies simply do not pay the employee when out on jury duty.

Q: What are the reasons to request to be excused from jury duty and what is the correct procedure to follow when doing so?

Answer

The judges of this Court deem any person to be qualified to serve on grand and petit juries in this district unless he or she:

Is not a citizen of the United States 18 years old who has resided for a period of one year within the judicial district;
Is unable to read, write, and understand the English language with a degree of proficiency sufficient to fill out satisfactorily the juror qualification form;
Is unable to speak the English language;
Is incapable, by reason of mental or physical infirmity, to render satisfactory jury service; or
Has a charge pending against him for the commission of, or has been convicted in state or federal Court of record of a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year and his civil rights have not been restored.

The judges find it to be in the public interest and not inconsistent with the Jury Selection and Service Act of 1968 to exempt from jury duty the following:

Members in active service in the Armed Forces of the United States;
Members of the fire or police department of any state, district, territory, possession or subdivision thereof;
Public officers in the executive, legislative, or judicial branches of the government of the United States, or any state, district, territory or possession or subdivision thereof, who are actively engaged in the performance of official duties. Public officer shall mean a person who is either elected to public office or who is directly appointed by a person elected to public office.

The judge who is qualifying a jury panel is vested with complete authority to make a final decision with respect to whether a particular person may be disqualified, exempt or excused. Any person summoned for jury service may be excused by the Court, or by the Clerk under supervision of the Court, upon a showing of undue hardship or extreme inconvenience, for such period as the Court deems necessary, or the name of such person may be reinserted into the qualified jury wheel for selection.

For more information regarding jury service, contact the Jury Clerk at (405)609-5040 or visit the Petit Jury or Grand Jury pages on this website.

Q: What documentation is required to enter the federal court buildings?

Answer

Photographic identification (such as a passport, government-issued identification card, or driver’s license) is required to enter the buildings that house the District Court and the Bankruptcy Court. In November 2014, the Judges of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma determined that the public may continue to use drivers’ licenses from Oklahoma and other states as photographic identification to enter the Courthouse and the Old Post Office Building. That policy remains in effect until further notice.

Q: When I end my jury duty service, can I be requested to serve in the future or will I be excused from any further service?

Answer

Yes. You can be asked to serve in the future if your name is selected at random again. However, if two whole years have not passed since you ended your previous Federal jury duty, you may request to be excused.

United States District Court

Western District of Oklahoma

Chief Judge - Timothy D. DeGiusti
Court Clerk - Joan Kane

You are here

Jury Administration FAQ